Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Sanders strikes success
DAVIE — Before or after every game of his rookie season, Miami Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders is meeting another NFL kicker, trying to see how they approach their game.
During the preseason, it was kickers such as Baltimore’s Justin Tucker and Atlanta’s Matt Bryant. Just a game ago, it was Green Bay’s Mason Crosby.
This week for Sanders will likely bring an introduction to future Hall of Fame kicker Adam Vinatieri when the Dolphins visit the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.
“It’s a great experience of meeting people you’ve watched on TV over the years. You’ve watched NFL games in college, and those are the kickers you’re now playing against,” said Sanders, a former standout at New Mexico.
“Look at Adam Vinatieri. He’s been playing for 20 years. I was probably 1 year old when he was in his first year in the NFL. So it takes a lot to be Adam Vinatieri.”
Vinatieri, who is 45 years old in his 23rd NFL season, became the NFL’s all-time leading scorer last month and became the league’s all-time leader in field goals earlier this season.
Sanders, who turned 23 during the Dolphins’ bye last week, has been the most consistent player to score points during a twogame stretch in which the Dolphins have failed to score an offensive touchdown.
After not re-signing former kicker Cody Parkey, the Dolphins’ decision to keep Sanders instead of kicker Greg Joseph has paid off.
Sanders is 15 of 16 (93.8 percent) this season, with a game-winner against the Bears in Week 6. He has made all nine of his kicks in the past three games, including a 4-for-4 day in Lambeau Field in Miami’s last game, a 31-12 loss to the Packers.
Sanders says his “one kick, one swing” mentality has sharpened his focus and allowed his confidence to gradually increase each week.
“You make your kicks, and people are happy,” Sanders said with a laugh. “For me, it’s just confidence. It’s easier to kick for a team that wants you. I’ve built confidence every week so far, and it’s built up as the weeks go on so that’s just the confidence I take into each game.”
Sanders may just be a rookie, but he has a great appreciation for how long and durable Vinatieri has been during his career.
After all, if Sanders was still at New Mexico, this week’s game would have been his 12th and final regular season game of the college season. Now that he’s in the NFL, he has at least six more games to play.
Vinatieri, for comparison sake, has played in all 16 NFL games for 18 of his 23 seasons.
Sanders says not many people realize how long the NFL seasons are for players.
“My mindset is just one kick, one Sunday at a time. I can’t be kicking next Sunday if I’m not kicking today. From there, it’s just one year at a time,” Sanders said. “I’m sure Adam Vinateri when he first started, he wasn’t thinking about playing for 20 years. He was thinking about that one week and the one goal he had.”
“Every week it’s an honor to meet guys,” Sanders added. “It’s just a lot of good kickers I’ve watched over the years.”